Knockabout Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Knockabout Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman February 28, 2023

Sammo Hung fans may be anticipating experiencing something like a mini film festival of sorts courtesy of Arrow Video, who are bringing out both this 1979 opus and the recently reviewed Millionaires’ Express, the latter of which has just streeted as this review is going live. Also as with Millionaires' Express, it looks like Eureka! Entertainment has already released Knockabout on Blu-ray for the Region B market, though as of the writing of this review, that release hasn't yet been covered by our site. One way or the other, Hung's ubiquity may jokingly make some feel like he's Everything Everywhere All At Once, so to speak, a perhaps salient attribution given that cinematic phenomenon's at least tangential tether to martial arts outings. As the back cover of this release mentions, while Hung's directorial career had begun with The Iron-Fisted Monk (available on Blu-ray as part of Three Films with Sammo Hung, and note that both links point to another Region B release by Eureka! Entertainment) in 1977, it was this 1979 film that gave Hung's "Peking Opera brother in arms" (to quote Arrow's verbiage) Yuen Biao his first starring role. Biao portrays one of two "actual" brothers who are unrepentant con men, and there are certain elements of this story which (as odd as it may sound) may reflect the global wake generated by The Sting, at least with regard to a certain "who's scamming whom?" aspect to the plot machinations.

Yipao (Yuen Biao) and Taipao (Leung Kar-Yan) are siblings who are not above a little grift here and there in order to secure their fortunes, but of course as films ranging from the aforementioned The Sting to The Grifters repeatedly make clear, there's a certain risk involved in such behavior, and the brothers soon find themselves in precarious straits when they attempt to take advantage of a martial arts master named Chia Wu Dao AKA Silver Fox (Lau Kar-Wing). They manage to evade disaster, if only barely, ultimately talking Silver Fox into mentoring them in fighting techniques. That decision in turn ends up being fraught with peril itself, with the result being (minor spoiler alert, so avert eyes now if concerned) that, while it actually takes most of the first two acts to finally get there, only Yipao is around for the the rest of the film.

Hanging around the edges of the story already, including in what is at least occasionally almost a "solo" Greek Chorus "commentator" role, is a portly beggar properly if inconsiderately called Fat Beggar (Sammo Hung), who ends up having a "set of particular skills" himself in the martial arts arena which he then attempts to mentor Yipao in as Yipao seeks vengeance. The underlying narrative of Knockabout is therefore far from innovative, but Hung invests the film with both expertly choreographed fight scenes and a bounteous supply of goofy humor, both of which perhaps unavoidably undercut any melancholy emotions entering the fray with regard to what Yipao has gone through.

Knockabout Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Knockabout is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Arrow Video with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 2.39:1. Arrow's insert booklet contains the following information on the transfer:

Knockabout is presented in its original 2.35:1 aspect ratio [sic] with its original Cantonese, Mandarin and English monoaural soundtracks. It was restored in 2K resolution from original film elements by Fortune Star, who supplied this master to Arrow Video for this Blu-ray release. Further materials were kindly supplied for this release by Eureak Entertainment, originally produced for their UK edition.

The film is presented in two versions, each with differing audio options. The original 105 minute Hong Kong theatrical version is presented with its original Cantonese and Mandarin soundtracks, and two English soundtracks: a more recent dub produced for the 2006 DVD release, and the 'classic' 1979 dub originally prepared for the 94 minute English Export Cut but with subtitled Cantonese in the additional scenes. The shorter English Export Cut is also presented as an additional viewing option, with 'classic' English audio only.

That "original film elements" description most likely means a negative wasn't available, so expectations might need to be set a bit lower for this presentation, though Arrow delivers another largely pleasing viewing experience. The grain field is noticeably gritty throughout, and to my eyes things look just slightly faded, with a bit of a brown-yellow cast at times. Detail levels are generally commendable throughout, especially in more controlled framings without a ton of action where things like fibers on costumes are easily discernable. Some of the outdoor location footage can look a bit on the fuzzy side by comparison, as can perhaps be gleaned in some of the other screenshots I've uploaded to accompany this review. This is another martial arts opus where some anamorphic anomalies are definitely on display (see screenshot 17 for one example).

Knockabout Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

While the International Export Version offers only an English language track delivered via DTS-HD Master Audio Mono, the Hong Kong Theatrical Version ostensibly has four audio choices, though as detailed in the reproduction of Arrow's insert booklet verbiage, above in the Video section, the English DTS-HD Master Audio Mono track was prepared for the shorter export release, and there are therefore Cantonese sections with subtitles. The fourth option is, again as described above, a newer English dub in DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 done for the 2006 DVD release of the film. You're obviously getting dubbing one way or the other (and as usual Frank Djeng has some interesting trivia on various uses of Cantonese and/or Mandarin in his commentary), so "sync can be loose", as the saying goes, no matter which audio is chosen. There may arguably be a bit more high end on the Mandarin track than the Cantonese track, but they both offer good fluidity and the typically reverberant and boxy approach toward sound effects. The English surround track is perhaps understandably most effective in the action sequences, though even in this track the somewhat boxy sound effects don't really resonate any differently than on the mono tracks, despite being intermittently offered in the side or rear channels. Optional English subtitles are available.

Knockabout Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Hong Kong Theatrical Cut (HD; 1:44:46) and International Export Cut (HD; 1:33:06) are accessible via the Choose Version Menu. Most of the Special Features are accessible whichever version is chosen, but as detailed below, different commentaries are accessible for the two different versions.


• Commentary by Frank Djeng and Michael Worth is accessible after Hong Kong Theatrical Cut has been chosen as the version to watch.


• Commentary by Mike Leeder and Arne Venema is accessible after International Export Cut has been chosen as the version to watch.


• Heavy Hitter with Sammo Hung (HD; 7:11) is an archival interview produced for the film's 2006 release on DVD. Subtitled in English.


• Above the Law with Bryan Leung Kar-yan (HD; 7:21) is an archival interview produced for the film's 2006 release on DVD. Subtitled in English.


• Monkey Magic with Grandmaster Chan Sau Chang (HD; 24:43) is an archival interview produced for the film's 2006 release on DVD. Subtitled in English.


• Deleted Scene (HD; 3:52) is a prologue used to promote the film in Japan.


• Theatrical Trailer (HD; 4:08)


• Image Gallery (HD)

Additionally, Arrow provides its typically nicely appointed insert booklet, this one containing an interesting essay by Simon Abrams and a reproduction of the Press Kit and Campaign Book, along with some charming drawings and stills. The keepcase features a reversible sleeve with original and newly commissioned artwork by Ilan Sheady, and while it's not listed on the back cover, the keepcase also houses a folded two sided mini poster. Finally, packaging features a slipcover.

Knockabout Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The trailer included on this release as a supplement makes it completely clear how invested Golden Harvest was in promoting Yuen Biao as their next "superstar", and Hung crafts an often spectacular debut for Biao in his first starring role. Exciting fighting scenes are balanced with some broad but effective humor and maybe just the barest hint of some real human emotion. Technical merits are generally solid and as usual Arrow provides some enjoyable supplements. Recommended.